4,000 Hot Rods Roll Through North Escambia (With Photo Gallery)
June 16, 2022
Some 4,000 hot rods traveled through North Escambia Thursday, part of the country’s largest rolling car show.
The 2022 HOT ROD Power Tour participants traveled to the Pensacola Interstate Fairgrounds for an afternoon car show.
For a photo gallery of many of the hot rods traveling through Century Thursday, click or tap here.
And, if you want to see the rolling car show for yourself, vehicles are scheduled to depart the fairgrounds on Mobile Highway about 7:30 Friday morning. Most will head north on Pine Forest Road, take Highway 297, continue on Louis Street to Muscogee Road, turn east on Muscogee then north on Highway 29 through Century and Flomaton to Highway 113 then I-65 on their way to the Atlanta Motor Speedway.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Editor’s note: Publication of an additional story that was to publish Friday about the Hot Road tour has been delayed.
Major FDOT Safety Improvement Project Set To Begin On Highway 29 In Century This Winter
June 16, 2022
The Florida Department of Transportation is set to begin a $3.3 million major safety improvement project on Highway 29 in Century this winter.
FDOT plans a major reconstruction of Highway 29 from just south of East Highway 4 to the Alabama state line. The project includes the roadway reconstruction, curb and gutter, drainage upgrades, signal loop replacement, driveway modifications, and sidewalks.
A curve at Jackson Street (pictured inset and shown in graphic below) will be realigned with drainage improvements; the curve has been the site of several truck accidents in recent years.
The new state budget recently signed by Gov. Ron DeSantis included $3,278,228 for the project.
Pictured: Looking south into Florida on Highway 29 in Century. Pictured inset: Part of a Highway 29 safety improvement project will include the realignment of this curve. Graphics below show project details. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Heat Advisory Continues For Friday
June 16, 2022
A heat advisory is in effect again for Thursday. The combined effects of air temperatures in the mid 90s and high humidity will result in a heat index “feels like temperature” of up to 110 degrees.
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Tonight: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly before 7pm. Partly cloudy, with a low around 73. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
Friday: Mostly sunny and hot, with a high near 98. Heat index values as high as 108. Calm wind becoming northwest around 5 mph.
Friday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 1am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 77. West wind around 5 mph.
Saturday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Sunny and hot, with a high near 99. North wind 5 to 10 mph.
Saturday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 73. North wind around 5 mph.
Juneteenth: Sunny and hot, with a high near 97. Northeast wind 5 to 10 mph.
Sunday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 74. East wind around 5 mph.
Monday: Sunny, with a high near 95. East wind 5 to 10 mph.
Monday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 74.
Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 96.
Tuesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 74.
Wednesday: Sunny and hot, with a high near 99.
Wednesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 76.
Thursday: Sunny and hot, with a high near 101.
Tolls Slashed By Almost Half On Garcon Point Bridge As State Takes Ownership
June 16, 2022
Tolls have been reduced by almost half on the Garcon Point Bridge effective today after the Florida Department of Transportation took ownership.
For SunPass customers, the toll has been reduced from $4.50 to $2.30, and from $5 to $2.75 for cash customers.
“For the first time, tolls collected on the Garcon Point Bridge will remain in Florida,” the Florida Department of Transportation said in a statement. All tolls collected previously to pay outstanding debt as while FDOT spent about $1.5 million each year.
Gov. Ron DeSantis announced in July 2021 that he was moving forward to lower tolls permanently as the state worked to acquire the bridge.
FDOT said in a statement:
“To alleviate burdensome toll escalations, Governor Ron DeSantis directed the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) to reach an agreement with the trustee and bondholders to retire the outstanding bond debt on the Garcon Point Bridge in Santa Rosa County. Since July of last year, the department has been in back-and-forth negotiations with the bondholders to reach an agreement to buy out the remaining debt and acquire the bridge. The settlement initiates the transfer of ownership of the bridge facility to the department, improving operational efficiency and giving the department the ability to lower tolls for the Garcon Point Bridge.
“Floridians are dealing with skyrocketing inflation caused by the bad policies of the federal government, and lowering the tolls solidifies the Governor’s commitment to providing much-needed relief to the more than 6,000 motorists that use the bridge everyday.”
Flomaton Man Charged With Century Marine Burglary
June 16, 2022
A Flomaton man was arrested this week on an outstanding warrant for two burglaries that occurred during 2020 at Century Marine.
Aaron Keith Baxter, 33, is charged with felony burglary and grand theft. He remained in the Escambia County Jail Thursday morning with bond set at $4,000.
In June 2020, Baxter allegedly climbed over a perimeter fence and entered a coverage workshop, stealing an Evinrude boat motor, air compressor, three boat seat pedestals and a three gallon boat fuel tank. The total value of the items was $3,550. In October 2020 he allegedly stole a boat valued at $950 during a burglary of the business on North Century Boulevard.
The stolen items were recovered in 2020 from a property on Pineview Circle in Flomaton and returned to Century Marine.
Charges against an alleged accomplice in the burglaries were later dropped.
DeSantis Unveils The Florida State Guard, Announces Director
June 16, 2022
Wednesday, Florida Gov. unveiled the Florida State Guard and introduced the new director of this emergency-focused civilian volunteer force, retired Marine Corps. Lieutenant Colonel Chris Graham.
By bringing back the Florida State Guard, Florida now joins 22 other states and territories with state-level defense forces, and many other states have laws on the books allowing for the activation of these organizations. Florida will add 400 members of the Florida State Guard to respond to a projected active hurricane season, and more than 1,200 individuals have already expressed interest in joining.
“The U.S. military has been kicking out great service members over the Biden administration’s unacceptable COVID vaccine mandate, and they are even targeting members of the National Guard,” said DeSantis. “The bureaucrats in D.C. who control our National Guard have also refused to increase the number of guardsmen despite our increasing population, leaving Florida with the second worst National Guardsman to resident ratio. By reestablishing the Florida State Guard under the leadership of Lieutenant Colonel Graham, we have a great opportunity to expand our capability to help people in times of need or disaster.”
“Two months ago I retired from the Marine Corps. as a Lieutenant Colonel after two decades plus of service, and once I saw the opening to become the Director of the State Guard, I decided that two months of retirement was all I needed,” said Graham. “This is an unbelievable privilege to reestablish and build from the ground up a modern state defense force. Florida will be joining 22 other states and territories with state guards, but we have an opportunity to break new ground and deliver a 10-fold investment for Floridians.”
Walnut Hill Man Named UF Top Rancher Challenge Champion
June 16, 2022
A Walnut Hill man has been named the champion of the 2022 University of Florida Top Rancher Challenge.
Che Trejo, who is a technical services veterinarian for Merck, won the challenge at the Florida Cattlemen’s Association Convention in Marco Island.
There were 179 FCA members and guests who competed in the challenge. Trejo won with a score of 91 out of a possible 106 points.
Pictured: Chris Prevatt, UF/IFAS livestock economist; Laura Trejo; UF Top Rancher Challenge Champion Che Trejo; and Doug Mayo, UF/IFAS Extension, Jackson County. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Molino 8U Softball Finishes Second In Tournament
June 16, 2022
Molino Ballpark’s 8U All-Stars finished second in the recent Gulf Coast Girls Softball Association All-Star Tournament. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Curtis Franklin Amerson
June 16, 2022
, age 83, of Enon, FL passed away on June 16, 2022 at his residence. He was born on February 15, 1939 in Bratt, FL to Horace E. and Fannie Wiggins Amerson. He served in the United States Army and was the owner of Amerson & Son’s Pest Control. He was a member of Walnut Hill Baptist Church and Walnut Hill Ruritan Club.
He is preceded in death by his parents; his brother, Albert Elyan Amerson and his sister, Betty Brown.
He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Betty Coleman Amerson; his sons: Curtis Alan Amerson of Jay, FL and Alex David (Felicia) Amerson of Enon, FL; his daughters: Lisa J. (Tracy) Fisher of Mobile, AL and Leah A. (Brian) Williams of Mobile, AL; his sister, Ann Amerson Weemes of Atmore, AL; eleven grandchildren; many great grandchildren along with cousins, extended family and friends.
Funeral services will be held Monday, June 20, 2022 at 11:00 a.m. at Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home Chapel in Atmore, AL with Bro. Ted Bridges officiating. Interment will follow in Godwin Cemetery in Bratt, FL.
Visitation will be held Monday, June 20, 2022 from 10:00 a.m. until service time at 11:00 a.m. at Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home.
Joan DiMatteo Hackman
June 16, 2022
of Atmore, AL passed away on Monday, June 13, 2022, with her family by her side. Mrs. Hackman was born in Wilmington, Delaware on November 23, 1934 to the late Vincent F. DiMatteo and Bertha G. DiMatteo. She was preceded in death by her parents and by her brother, Robert V. DiMatteo.
She is succeeded by Herbert V. Hackman, Jr., husband; her son Jeff (Rhoda) Hackman; her daughters Sara (Mike) Brown, and Margie (Gene) Pandolfi; and her sister Carole J. Lattomus. She has five grandchildren and three great grandchildren.
Mrs. Hackman was very active in the Atmore community and was very proud of her service to the community through the Red Cross, and especially her role in the establishment of the Welcome Center in Heritage Park. She loved the beaches of both the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf Coast.
A celebration of life will be held in the coming weeks at Johnson-Quimby Chapel in Atmore, AL at a date to be announced later, followed by a memorial service the next day at Saint Anna’s in Poarch, AL.